Mid-Island Food News for December 2012

On the Nov 30-Dec 1 weekend it’s a celebration of “Oysters, Bacon, Chocolate” at the 1st Annual Delicious Downtown Courtenay. This is part of a lot of fun happening in my downtown during six weeks of WinterFest. This weekend, it’s all about the great eateries we have in my downtown – and raising funds for the Comox Valley Food Bank. To date we’ve heard about “Oyster, Bacon, Chocolate” specials happening at Union Street Grill [250-897-0081, 477-5th Street, Courtenay +FB @UnionStreetGril], Locals[250-338-6493, 364-8th Street, Courtenay ], and Atlas Café[250-6th Street, Courtenay 250-338-9838]. A cool collaboration: Union Street Grill is supporting Tria Culinary’s [250-871-8716 +FB] Dec 1 “on the street” oyster promotion, donating $1 for every oyster dish sold during Delicious Downtown. For current (things are growing fast!) intel, visit the Delicious Downtown event on Facebook. I posted about it here…

The same weekend it’s the annual Denman Island Christmas Craft Fair (Dec 1-2) for those wanting a little road trip. The Kaffee Klatsch Bistro [3646 Denman Road 250-335-2299 +FB] will be open for breakfast and lunch. On Dec 14 the Bistro celebrates Denman’s Moonlight Madness with house made tourtiere and torta rustica and signature “Sinful Cider.”

Profiteroles from the November Avenue Bistro “One Big Table” event

“Tantalizing Tastes” is on the menu at for the Delicious Downtown weekend at Zocalo Cafe [250-331-0933, 208 A 5th Street +FB]. On Dec 7 it’s the “make reservations, it was sold out last year” special Christmas performance by Swing Set. The Zo is also hosting a Dec 29 pre- New Years Eve party with Flying Debris.Cindy Holland at the Courtenay VQA Wine Store [7 – 3195 Cliffe Ave (across from Future Shop) 250-871-1444 @courtenayvqa +FB] is hosting a “An Evening of Eclectic Wines” as a fund raiser for the Comox Valley Christmas Hamper fund on Dec 12. Pre-registration required. Cindy is also hosting a series of special tasting events Dec 7 and 21. Check the website or Facebook for details. Note: Thanks to Courtenay VQA Store for co-sponsoring the December #FestiveLocal promotion of Vancouver Island local food heroes! (more below )

Locals know what YANA is all about, but they may not know what Chef Catherine Berg is about at the Black Creek Diner [8268 Island Highway 778-428-5680]. On Dec 8 Chef Catherine delivers a fund raising “Family Dinner at the Diner” (in keeping with YANA’s good work to support families). Chef Berg is steeped in Danish and Northern European cookery, but you’ll find other flavours as well on this tempting (and well-priced) event menu. Local food hero chef and baker Ralph Spodzieja is donating baked sweets from Cipollines Bakery, Deli & Catering [2190 South Island Hwy, Campbell River, 250-923-4000 + FB]. Call for more details.

On Dec 14 it’s Food. Shelter. Music – Cumberland’s annual musical fundraiser for local emergency shelters (Lilli House/Transition Society and the Salvation Army Shelter). Music starts at 8pm. We’ve heard that this is a must if you’re a fan of our region’s rich musical talents, not to mention what the Waverley Hotel’s [2692 Dunsmuir Ave. 250-336-8322 waverleyhotel.ca +FB] kitchen gets up to thanks to Chef Greg MacDonald’s talents (and local product supplied by owners Don and Louisa McClellan – they also own Ash Berry Farmin Royston). Our cover foto this month is the beverage line-up for Chef Greg’s November Beer Pairing Chef’s Table event at the Waverley. Highly enjoyable!

The Timber Room Restaurant at Crown Isle [399 Clubhouse Drive 250-703-5050 www.crownisle.com] is hosting a number of seasonal activities including a “Breakfast with Santa” on Dec 2 and 9 (seating 9:30-10 with Santa arriving at 10:30am). Christmas Day menus, as well as 3 and 4 course New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Brunch menus are available online.Cumberland’s Gatehouse Bistro[250-336-8099, 3rd and Penrith, Cumberland] is hosting a 7-course Danish Christmas Dinner on December 21st by reservation only. Every weekend at Gatehouse features a different European weekend, and as of Dec 1 they’re serving breakfasts (with the option of a featured European dish).

Anh and Jer pouring over the candlelit menu at Union Street Grill’s sparkly November event

“Candlelight New Years Eve Dinner” marks the 3rd in Union Street Grill‘s series of delightfully dark, delicious, and sparkly events. We’ve been twice. It’s fun.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day diners are welcome to a festive “Holiday Dinner” at The Breakwater Restaurant [at Kingfisher Resort 4330 Island Highway 250-338-1323 and 800-663-7929 +FB]. New Executive Chef Philippe Gagne is celebrating the Breakwater’s ocean view with a “Gourmet Seafood Buffet” on New Year’s Eve.

The December local food hero promotion is all about #FestiveLocal

Vancouver Island’s #localfoodheroesDecember is the 3rd month of the Vancouver Island #localfoodhero promotion. This month the focus is on #festivelocal – how local food heroes help us celebrate great flavours at this most delicious time of year. Thanks to Dark Side Chocolates[2722 Dunsmuir Avenue, Cumberland 250-336-0126] and Courtenay VQA Wine Store for co-sponsoring this month’s promotion with a $50 (each) gift certificate. That means two lucky entrants this month! For more information: http://j.mp/FestiveLocal (site and promotion launch on Dec 1).

EatDrinkComoxValley.tvEvery month we’ve got new interviews at EatDrinkComoxValley.tvwith this region’s flavouristas – people who are shaping the way I understand and appreciate what I put in my mouth. Give us some feedback:

Who are your local food heroes?

Who is shaping your appreciation and understanding of food on Vancouver Island?